Ventura Highway - America (Lyrics)

The lyric "alligator lizards in the air" in the song is a reference to the shapes of clouds in the sky. One day in 1963 his family was driving down the coast from Vandenberg Air Force Base near Lompoc, California and they had a flat tire. While his father changed the tire, he and his brother stood by the side of the road and watched the clouds and saw a road sign for "Ventura"

[rasputinslovechild]

I remember as a kid in the mid 1960's driving up the Ventura highway, US 101, through the eucalyptus trees and strawberry fields, and stopping at the fresh fruit stand for a snack. It was a most beautiful highway with the pacific ocean by its side. I can still see it and smell it in my mind. But now it's a multi lane freeway slicing through a maze of shopping centers and malls, and it has changed my perception of this song. For not only is the song now an oldie, but that highway and it's surrounding beauty no longer exists. It's like the extinction of a species.

[billycharles]

This song makes me feel that everything in the world is beautiful, the air and grass are sweet, the ocean salty smell permeates the surroundings and the sky is blue as blue. A sense of a Heavenly highway. that’s what this song instills in me

[TC-eoeb]

A drive up or down the coast on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) should be on everyone's bucket list. One of the most beautiful scenes you will ever encounter.

[HomieWitDaXtraChromie]

Omg, how come they don't make quality music like this anymore? This brings back so many memories for sure.

[songbirdy]

This song always puts me in a good mood. And yes, takes me back.

[jairourdaneta]

Music is a perfect medicine to any worry

[andyebanks]

America. Wow! An incredibly awesome band, to say the least.

[WildBillHabiki]

Jeez they were so good. This is the sound of my childhood.

[geraldvasend]

The drive down the coast past Lompoc to Las Angeles is an incredible drive. No wonder it would inspire a song such as this.

[dennysmith]

Brilliance personified... always reminds me of the Vietnam war draft dodgers in Cape Town... Aussies & Americans... Billabong brand - surfboards started in a double garage behind Claridges Hotel in Green Point...the short boards were popular - replaced the awkward long boards...

[slatt]

This stuff is brilliant, the choice of words and music. This band had so many awesome songs !!

[dennycrane]

NOTICE THE EXTREME SINGING TALENT OF THIS LEAD SINGER. LOOK AT TODAY'S TURDS BY COMPAISION.

[f.u.spammers]

Probably just me, but the intro guitar chords somehow convey the sense of a healthy humility in a good man.

[randykrauch]

My first concert, July 3, 1976 (Beach Boys / America / Santana) Anaheim Stadium. "Festival Seating" = first come, first served.
Thanks for the song origins info :-)

[Ammo]

This song takes me back to when I was stationed at Vandenberg AFB in 1976...how is still one of my favorite bands...their songs always take me back in my mind to air bases in Colorado, Wyoming and California....

[anibald.a.miranda]

More than 40 years and this still so fresh to hear of.... amazing song!!!

[reginaltkoralewski]

Niewiele osób znało ta kapelę w Polsce ja mam płyty od lat 70- tych i słucham ich do dzisiaj!- Kid 🤠

[xxx...pyxidis]

Love this song - lovely to sing a long to and bring back happy memories.

[mjeichinger]

This song has always charged me up! Alligator lizards in the air - shape of clouds in the sky! I love it!

[douglasdeal]

From San Diego. Ventura Hwy, Tin Man, Sister Golden Hair, You Can Do Magic, America, P.M & Wings, Eagles, was so lucky to grow up in Jr & High School in the '70 & '80's, Elton John too, so many others, not like now. This sounds great on Bose w/sub woofer. In fact all 60, 70 & 80's music beats everything now!